By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 2 -- Chile's Sipetrol International SA and Oil Search Ltd., Sydney, are testing a third exploratory well after two oil discoveries in the northeastern part of Egypt's Western Desert. They plan to start production in the third quarter of 2007.
The companies' Shahd and Ghard discoveries 80 miles west of Cairo have proven that the Western Desert petroleum system extends into the East Ras Qattara concession. The companies hope to start production before the end of 2007. Adjacent concessions have production facilities.
The Shahd-1 discovery well went to TD 3,479 m in the southwestern part of the block in late 2006 and drillstem tested 700-1,000 b/d from Cretaceous Lower Bahariya and 360-600 b/d of 39-41° gravity oil from Upper Bahariya on artificial lift.
The Ghard-ST1 discovery well, 12 km northeast of Shahd-1, flowed 2,026 b/d of 40° gravity oil and gas at the rate of 2.6 MMcfd in 2 hr on a ¾-in. choke from Lower Bahariya at 3,341-47 m and 3,350-54 m.
Rana-1, 12 km southeast of Ghard-1, was under test in early August after cased-hole log evaluation indicated several potential oil-bearing intervals in the Cretaceous Bahariya and Kharita formations. Rana-1 is one of 12 similar prospects in a chain of structures trending easterly from Shahd-1.
Oil Search also plans to start incremental production in 2007 from Area A, consisting of four development and two exploration concessions totaling 400 sq km on the Gulf of Suez west bank. The development concessions include Kareem, Shukheir, Um El Yusr, Ayun, and Kheir shallow oil fields discovered in 1958-72.
